Caterham Pumas prides itself in offering players the very best opportunity in achieving their full potential. Each team has a designated manager and coach. Many of these completed the F.A Junior Team Manager’s Course. Also, the club has a number of qualified referees and access to a greater pool of Surrey Qualified Referees. The managers are keen to attain new skills to ensure the best coaching possible. They organise a number of events that include the boys attending The Football In The Community Programme in partnership with Crystal Palace Football Club.
This season so far

2001/2002 saw the club move completely to the ground at the end of Fox Lane with both registration and attendance continuing to rise across all age ranges with the name of Caterham represented in both the Epsom & Ewell and the Tandridge leagues. The later now sponsored by Crystal Palace Football Club. Caterham Pumas remain confident of honours again this season.
The Club received a tremendous honour when Mark Sheen (Vice-Chairman & U11’s Manger) was selected as Manager for the Epsom & Ewell League team. Already Mark has generated some very encouraging results that reflect the high standards we set in respect of our coaching skills and the manner in which we work with the children and young people.

Social Club and sponsorship/fundraising

In the Caterham Pumas relatively short history the club has benefited generously from local businesses. Unlike most sponsorship, Linden Homes have provided free training facilities and the necessary and extremely important utilities. The value of Linden Homes sponsorship is difficult to quantify, it seems that every year they have been able to offer fundamental security to a Football Club that has become an integral part of their community.

The club is fortunate to benefit from a willing core of social members who continue to work effortlessly in planning and organising fund raising events. These include discos, race nights, quiz nights, and various other competitions. All money raised or donated is spent directly on the players. Each child receives the team kit, and we are working towards getting training kit and a kit bag.

Pumas in the community

February 2002 saw Caterham Pumas achieve the prestigious benchmark of the Football Associations Chartered Standards. Essentially, the process of attaining this Award involved Caterham Pumas producing a constitution, which specified definitive practice values and procedures. Also, to offer on-going development and training through the Football Association Structure.
In May 2000, the F.A. launched its Child Protection policy, which is integral to achieving Charter Standards. Caterham, Pumas embrace this policy and has a Qualified Child Protection Officer. As a club we believe that every child or young person who plays or participates in football should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from abuse. This is the responsibility of every adult involved in football.

Developing facilities

The Club’s home ground is now based at the end of Fox Lane (rear of The Fox Public House) in partnership with The Caterham Barracks Community Trust. By working closely with Linden Homes and Dick Moran (Chief Executive), Caterham Pumas have been able to secure football in this community for at least another 5 years.

Stephen Williams (Club Secretary) has worked tirelessly with the relevant parties including the Football Association (Youth) in negotiating and exploring for a greater infrastructure, e.g. sports equipment, changing facilities, ground maintenance and clubhouse. The club has a constitution that promotes equality and highlights the need to work with children in a safe self-regulating way.

The next step – a future

Caterham Pumas have secured a long-term lease on the old Ministry of Defence sports field behind the Fox public house in Fox Lane. The facilities provide three 11-a-side and two seven-a-side pitches for the clubs 11 teams.
The Downs Lands Trust has been asked to join the club in an effort to reinstate hedgerows around the ground, along with a complete maintenance plan designed to bring back some of the wildlife.
Without doubt, the single most important factor for the future of Caterham Pumas is for the club to increase their sponsorship and work intensely with existing partnerships in building a first class clubhouse for the safety and benefit all the of players, parents and supporters. Equally, there is significant support required for the on-going drainage and maintenance of the existing pitches.